Two material frame having dissimilar properties for thermal ink-jet cartridge

ABSTRACT

A thermal ink-jet pen cartridge having a rigid external frame member fabricated of a rigid engineering plastic, and an interior frame structure attached thereto, formed of a softer, more ductile plastic material than an engineering plastic. An ink reservoir is defined by the interior structure and a pair of flexible bag membranes formed of a plastic material impervious to the ink and compatible with the interior member material, allowing the membranes to be joined to the interior member to form a leak-proof joint. The external structure has locking features formed into an interior surface. When the interior member is injection molded to the external member, the molten material flows into and around the locking features, securing the interior member to the external member and resisting the shrinkage forces as the molten material cools. The ink reservoir is filled through a fill port passageway extending through the external frame member and the inner member. The passageway is lined with the softer material of the inner member, and is sealed by an oversized ball press fit into the passageway after the ink filling process.

This is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned application Ser. No.07/853,372, filed Mar. 18, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,578 entitledCOMPACT FLUID COUPLER FOR THERMAL INKJET PRINT CARTRIDGE INK RESERVOIRby James G. Salter, et al., the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the following pending and commonlyassigned U.S. patent applications: INK PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR A THERMALINK-JET PRINTER, Ser. No. 07/928,811, filed Aug. 12, 1992, by TofighKhodapanah et al.; COLLAPSIBLE INK RESERVOIR STRUCTURE AND PRINTER INKCARTRIDGE, Ser. No. 07/929,615, filed Aug. 12, 1992, by George T.Kaplinsky et al.; COMBINED FILTER/AIR CHECK VALVE FOR THERMAL INK-JETPEN, by George T. Kaplinsky, Ser. No. 07/995,109, filed Dec. 22, 1992,U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,459; DOUBLE COMPARTMENT INK-JET CARTRIDGE WITHOPTIMUM SNOUT, by David W. Swanson et al., Ser. No. 07/995,221, filedDec. 22, 1992; THERMAL INK-JET PEN WITH A PLASTIC/METAL ATTACHMENT FORTHE COVER, by Dale D. Timm, Jr. et al., Ser. No. 07/994,810, filed Dec.22, 1992; THIN PEN STRUCTURE FOR THERMAL INK-JET PRINTER, by David W.Swanson et al., Ser. No. 07/994,809, filed Dec. 22, 1992, U.S. Pat. No.5,491,502; RIGID LOOP CASE STRUCTURE FOR THERMAL INK-JET PEN, by DavidW. Swanson et al., Ser. No. 07/994,808, filed Dec. 22, 1992, U.S. Pat.No. 5,451,995; SPRING-BAG PRINTER INK CARTRIDGE WITH VOLUME INDICATOR,by David S. Hunt et al., application Ser. No. 07/717,735, filed Jun. 19,1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,853; the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by this reference.

This invention relates to ink reservoirs for thermal ink-jet ("TIJ")print cartridges.

TIJ technology is widely used in computer printers. Very generally, aTIJ includes a print head typically comprising several tiny controllableink-jets, which are selectively activated to release a jet or spray ofink from an ink reservoir onto the print media (such as paper) in orderto create an image or portion of an image. TIJ printers are described,for example, in the Hewlett-Packard Journal, Volume 36, Number 5, May,1985, and Volume 39, Number 4, August, 1988.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a printer ink cartridgeincluding an ink reservoir includes a frame structure comprising anexternal frame structural member fabricated from a first rigid plasticmaterial and an interior frame member fabricated from a second plasticmaterial having properties dissimilar to properties of the first plasticmaterial, in that the second material is softer and more ductile. Firstand second impervious membranes formed of a third material are joined tothe interior frame member to form, with that member, the ink reservoir.The second plastic material is compatible with the third plasticmaterial to permit a leak-proof joinder of the membranes to the interiorframe member. Preferably the second plastic material and said thirdplastic material are compatible such that said membranes can be sealedto said inner frame member by application of heat and pressure.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the external framemember comprises an inner surface to which the interior member isattached, the inner surface including a plurality of locking featuresformed therein. The interior member is formed by injection molding ofthe second plastic material in a molten state, the second plasticmaterial being characterized by a shrinkage rate upon cooling thereof.During the injection molding, the molten material flows around thelocking features of the external frame member. When the molten materialcools, the inner frame member is locked to the external frame member atthe locking features.

The locking features preferably include a protruding rib extending fromthe surface of the external member, defined by undercut sides, whereinduring the injection molding, the molten second plastic material flowsaround the rib and against the undercut sides.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the pen furtherincludes an ink fill port comprising a passageway extending through theexternal frame member and the interior member in communication with theink reservoir, and means for sealing said passageway. Preferably, thepassageway is lined with the second material, and the sealing means is aball slightly larger in cross-section than the diameter of thepassageway. The ball is press-fit into the passageway to seal it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of anexemplary embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a thermal ink-jet pen cartridge embodyingthe invention, shown with its covers in an exploded form.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the snout region of the pen of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pen of FIG. 1, taken lengthwisethrough the pen snout region.

FIG. 4 is a broken away cross-sectional view of the snout region of thepen of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view of the snout region of the pen of FIG. 1, taken priorto installation of the air check valve.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the thermal ink-jet pen cartridge of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing theinsertion of the sealing ball.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the external plastic frame member comprisingthe pen cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the external and inner plastic frame memberscomprising the pen cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16--16 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the region within circle 17 of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show alternate techniques of locking the inner plasticmember to the external plastic member comprising the pen cartridge ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 20 illustrates the molding of the second shot liner of thestandpipe opening.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate alternate methods of molding the external andinner frame members comprising the pen cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the frame membersat the pen snout region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-17 illustrate a thermal ink-jet pen cartridge 50 embodying thepresent invention. The pen 50 comprises an external frame structure 60which defines a closed band or loop defining the periphery of the pen50. The pen structure 60 comprises two chemically dissimilar plasticmembers 78 and 68. The external plastic member 78 is molded from arelatively rigid engineering plastic such as a glass-filled modifiedpolyphenylene oxide, such as the material marketed under the trademark"NORYL" by General Electric Company. An inner plastic member 68 isinjection molded to the inner periphery of the external plastic member78, and is fabricated of a plastic material suitable for attaching theink reservoir membranes 64 and 66. A plastic suitable for the innerplastic member 68 is a polyolefin alloy or 10 percent glass-filledpolyethylene.

The frame 60 defines a generally rectilinear open volume region 110 anda snout region 75 protruding from one corner of region 110. The externalplastic member 78 is molded to form a standpipe 93 with an interioropening or channel 94 formed therein. The standpipe channel 94communicates with a TIJ printhead 76 secured across the external end ofthe snout opening 94. Ink flows through the standpipe channel 94 tosupply the printhead 76 with ink. As drops of ink are forced outwardlythrough the printhead nozzles, ink flows through the standpipe 94 fromthe reservoir 62 via the fluid paths indicated generally by arrows 97and 99 to replenish the ink supply available to the printhead 76.

The inner plastic member 68 further includes a support rib 120 whichextends across the throat of the snout region 75, separating the snoutregion from the main ink reservoir area 62. A generally rectangularchamber area 122 is formed by a surrounding structure of the innermember 68 extending between the rib 120 and the inner opening of thestandpipe channel 94.

First and second membranes 64 and 66 are attached to the inner plasticmember 68 through heat staking, adhesives or other bonding processes, toform a leak-proof seal between the inner plastic member 68 and themembranes. The membranes 64 and 66 are formed of a material which isimpermeable to the ink to be stored within the ink reservoir, andcompatible with the plastic of material from which the inner plasticmember 68 is fabricated. A preferred material for the membranes 64 and66 is ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The ink delivery system includes aspring 74 which applies a separating force against two opposed pistonplates 72A and 72B inside the ink reservoir to separate the membranes 64and 66. The spring and piston elements maintain negative pressure on theink in the reservoir to keep the ink from drooling from the printhead76. As ink is consumed from the reservoir, atmospheric pressure on themembranes 64 and 66 result in compression of the spring with the plates72A and 72B drawn toward each other.

The membranes 64 and 66 extend over the standpipe region, and in thisembodiment are heat staked along the edge regions 68A, 68B and 68C (FIG.4) to maintain the sealing of the membranes along the periphery of thesnout region 75. The membranes 64 and 66 are not sealed to the region ofthe rib 120. Standoffs 69A and 69B comprising the inner plastic member68 hold the membranes off the area of rib 120, to ensure the membranesdo not sag against the support rib structure and thereby close off theink flow from the ink reservoir to the standpipe 93.

An air check valve is provided in the fluid path between the printhead76 and the ink reservoir 62, to prevent air bubbles from travelling fromthe printhead into the reservoir 62. The valve also serves the functionof a filter to prevent particulate contaminates from flowing from theink reservoir 62 to the printhead 76 and clogging the printhead nozzles.In this embodiment, the valve includes two valve members 90, 92 one oneach side of the frame. The valve members 90 and 92 each comprise, inthis exemplary embodiment, a section of finely woven stainless steelmesh, the edges of which are attached to the inner plastic member. Themesh has a nominal passage dimension of 15 microns between adjacent meshstrands, and has a typical thickness of less than 0.005 inches. In thisembodiment, each mesh member 90 and 92 is square, and covers an area ofabout one centimeter by one centimeter. A mesh marketed under thetradename RIGIMESH-J by Engle Tool and Die, Eugene, Oregon, is suitablefor performing the function of the check valve. The mesh passage size issufficiently small that, while ink may pass through the passages of themesh, air bubbles under normal atmospheric pressure will not passthrough the mesh passages which are wetted by the ink. The required airbubble pressure necessary to permit bubbles to pass through the mesh, inthis embodiment, about 30 inches of water, is well above thatexperienced by the pen under any typical storage, handling oroperational conditions. As a result, the mesh serves the function of anair check valve for the pen.

A second function fulfilled by the mesh valve is that of a particulatefilter, preventing particles as small as 15 microns from passing throughthe mesh. It is known to use a mesh of this mesh opening size in aparticulate filter in vented, foam-filled ink reservoirs, Suchreservoirs have no need for an air check valve.

There is a pressure drop across the mesh members 90 and 92. If the meshopening size is too small, not enough ink will flow through the mesh,and the printhead will starve. Two separate mesh members 90 and 92 areemployed to ensure sufficient ink flow from the reservoir 92 into thechamber 94.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the snout region 75 of the pen 50. FIG. 4 is across-section taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a view of thesnout without the covers and valve element 90 and 92 in place. The framemember 78 includes a pair of inwardly facing tabs 78A and 78B whichprovide support to the portion of inner frame member 68 molded aroundthe inner periphery of the snout region 75. The tabs 78A and 78B alsoserve as coring features for molding of the inner member 68. The framemember 68 defines inner chamber 122, with a rectilinear frame portionextending around the periphery of the chamber. The frame portion isdefined by side regions 68A-D. As shown in FIG. 3, the width of member68 defines the width of the chamber 122. The side regions 68A-D thusdefine a window into the chamber 122 on each cover-facing side of themember 68. Each side of the chamber 122 which extends in a perpendicularsense to the plane of the covers 70 and 80 is defined by the plasticcomprising member 68.

During operation, air bubbles may accumulate in the chamber 122. Theprinter in which the pen 50 is installed may include a priming stationto apply a vacuum to the printhead to withdraw the air bubbles throughthe printhead, and draw ink from the reservoir to fill the standpipeopening and the chamber 122. Such priming stations are known in the art.

The frame member 68 is molded to define a thin lip 124 which protrudesfrom the side regions 68A-D and extends around the periphery of theframe portion. Such a lip is defined on each cover-facing side of themember 68; only lip 124 is visible in FIG. 5. During the heat stakingoperation used to attach the mesh screen members the heated die memberis positioned over the mesh member, and brought downwardly against themesh member with force. The temperature of the die member is sufficientto soften or melt the plastic material defining the lip 124, so thatsome of the molten plastic flows into the adjacent interstices of themesh. Upon removal of the die member and cooling of the plastic, themesh member is firmly attached to the member 68 all around the peripheryof the window into the chamber 122.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the location and structure of the ink fill port 130of pen 50. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the fill port 130 islocated in a flat surface 60A of the frame 60 adjacent the pen snoutregion 75. The ink reservoir 62 is filled with ink via the port 130,which is thereafter sealed off by insertion of a stainless steel ball132.

The external frame member 78 is molded to form an opening of circularcross-section, whose diameter transitions abruptly from a smallerdiameter in the region 134 in which the ball 132 is captured, to alarger diameter in the region 136 adjacent the surface 60A. In thisembodiment, the ball 132 has a diameter of 0.187 inches (4.76 mm), thesmaller diameter of the frame member 78 in the region 134 is 0.236inches (6.0 mm), and the larger diameter of the frame 78 in the region136 is 0.283 inches (7.2 mm).

During the molding of the inner plastic member 68 onto the previouslyfabricated outer frame member 78, the molten plastic flows through theopening formed for the ink fill port in the member 78 and around a moldpin inserted therein to form the fill port structure comprising theinner member 68. Thus, the molten plastic flows around the materialforming the member 78 at region 134, providing a lining thereover.Moreover, the inner member 68 thus formed defines the fill port opening130 which communicates with the ink reservoir 62. The diameter of thefill port opening 130 tapers from a first diameter of the openingadjacent the surface to a second, smaller diameter at 138 adjacent thereservoir 62 which is substantially smaller than the diameter of theball 132. In this exemplary embodiment, the first diameter is 0.179inches and the second diameter is 0.120 inches.

To fill the reservoir 62, the pen is held with the snout region 75 in anupright position as shown in FIG. 6. A needle is lowered through thefill port opening 130 down into the ink reservoir nearly touching thebottom of the reservoir. This is done so that the ink falls the shortestdistance possible, as some inks will foam if they fall, which makespriming difficult later. The pen reservoir is then filled with inkthrough the ink fill needle by a pumping means to the point that the inkin the reservoir is nearly touching the inside of the ink fill hole. Atthis point the needle is drawn out of the pen and a ball 132 is placedover the ink fill opening 130. The ball fits tightly within the opening138, as it must displace some of the plastic material surrounding theopening 130, due to its size relative to the opening size. The ball 130is then pressed into the ink fill 130B by a pressing tool 140 (FIG. 9)such that it just touches the inner diameter at 138 at the bottom of theink fill opening 130. At this point the ink is contained in the penreservoir; however, an air path exists from the top of the free surfaceof the ink through the printhead nozzles which must be removed toestablish the initial pen back pressure.

The air is pulled from the pen with the pen 50 tilted on a 30 degreeangle such that the highest point is the snout region 75. This is donebecause the air will float to the highest point which then is the snoutregion, and thereby facilitating pulling the air from the pen by theprimer. A suction head is then placed over the nozzle region of thethermal ink-jet head and vacuum pulled. As the vacuum removes air fromthe pen and the ink level will rise, wet out the filter, and eventuallymake its way up to and through the printhead nozzles. This process hasbeen characterized such that a known amount of ink will be pulledthrough the nozzles to establish the initial back pressure in the pen at-1 inch of water. After the pen is primed, the top surface of theprinthead is washed with clean water and an air knife to remove anyexcess ink from the priming process. After the pen has been primed it,of course, may be turned in any orientation with the ink remaining inthe pen.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show in isolation the outer plastic member 78 comprisingthe pen 50. In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 11 that the plasticmember 78 presents an exterior flat surface 142, but that the inner sideof member 78 presents several steps to increase the thickness of member78, forming a plateau 146. A rib feature 144 is formed along the centerof the member 78 extending from plateau 146, and includes undercut sides144A and 144B. The rib 144 extends along part or nearly all of the sidesof the frame member 78, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 10, but showingthe inner frame member 78 molded onto the outer frame member 78. Theframe member 78 extends along the plateau 146, and covers the rib 144.The undercut sides of the rib provide a locking means for locking themember 78 onto the member 68. In this embodiment, the member 68 has athickness T (0.059 inches) and a width W (0.354 inches) in the areashown in FIG. 13. The sides 148 and 150 of the member 68 which extendgenerally perpendicular to the frame member 78 provide surfaces to whichthe ink reservoir membranes 64 and 66 may be attached.

The material forming the inner member 68 has a shrink rate as it coolsfrom the molten state. This material is molded inside the outer frame 78and tends to shrink away from the frame 78 as it cools. To keep theinner plastic member 68 attached to the exterior frame member 78, it ismolded onto the undercut features 144 which are molded as part of themember 78. As the material forming member 68 cools, it locks onto theexternal frame 78 by these features 144, thereby countering the forcesof the material forming member 68 to pull away from the external frame78 due to the shrinkage of that material. The locking rib 144 shown hasa simple cross section which is easy to mold.

A soft polyolefin alloy can be used as the material for member 68, as itadheres chemically to the surface of the NORYL material and has a shrinkrate that is very low (about equal to the NORYL 2.5 mills/inch) so thatthe forces created during the shrinking process are lower than, forexample, pure polyethylene which is about 20 mils/inch.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the structure of the members 68 and 78 in the snoutregion in further detail. The material of the inner member 68 flows overthe ribs 78A and 78B, and covers the standpipe 93, locking onto the rib93A.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section taken along line 16--16 of FIG. 6. Elementsdefining the ink reservoir are visible here. Attachment of the springbag membranes 64 and 66 to the opposed side surfaces 148 and 150 of theinner member 68 is illustrated. FIG. 17 in particular is an enlargedview illustrating the heat staked attachment of the membrane 66 tosurface 148 of the inner frame member 68. Heat staking per se is wellknown in the plastics art.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate two alternate embodiments of the lockingfeatures which may be formed on the inner surface of the frame member78, instead of the undercut rib 144. Thus, FIG. 18 shows a frame member78' which employs locking features 144', essentially small handle-likefeatures with an opening 160 into which the molten plastic flows whenthe inner member 68' is molded. FIG. 19 shows a frame member 78" whichincludes locking features 144" which include rounded undercut openings162 formed therein. The molten plastic flows into the undercut openings162 when the inner member 68" is molded.

A method of molding the inner member 68 to the outer frame element 78 isdescribed in the referenced application Ser. No. 07/853,372. Briefly,the frame element 78 of modified polyphenylene oxide, i.e., a firstmolded material is fabricated in a plastic injection mold. This part 78is referred to as the "first shot." The first shot 78 is next insertedinto a second mold where the second molded material is molded onto it.This "second shot" has a degree of shrinkage upon cooling.

An advantage of the two material frame comprising the pen 50 is that theinner frame member 68 can be made of a softer, more ductile material(such as a polyolefin alloy) than the engineering plastic of theexterior member 78, which also acts somewhat as a dampener in the eventthe pen is dropped. This tends to prevent cracking, membrane tears andother damage. Moreover, a soft, ductile material for the inner member68, more like rubber than an engineering plastic, is not as prone tostress cracking. Using a polyethylene based material such as apolyolefin alloy to fabricate the inner member 68 has the furtherbenefits of a low moisture transmission rate, thereby maintaining theink contents of the reservoir against leakage or evaporation, andchemical compatibility with the chemicals constituting the inks used inthe pen. The filters 90 and 92 can be readily attached to such materialsfor the member 68, in contrast to an engineering plastic, since thepolyolefin based materials have a lower heat staking temperature, andthe material readily wicks into the mesh of the filter, therebyproviding a reliable joint between the inner member 68 and the air checkvalve/filter members 90 and 92.

In the molding of the frame elements 68 and 78, it is necessary to keepthe area of the pen between the TIJ printhead 76 and the filter elements90 and 92 free of particulate contamination that are large enough toblock the nozzles of the printhead. In the case of insert molding of thepen as described in the referenced pending application Ser. No.07/853,872, the core pin defining the standpipe chamber must engage thefirst shot material which forms element 78 and make a seal tight enoughto keep the molten second shot material forming the inner frame member68, which is under pressure, from entering. The engagement of the corepin on the inside of the standpipe 93 is a source of contamination, asthe action of the engagement can cause particles to abrade off the wallof the first shot material and be left behind to later cause acontamination issue. The area of shut off and wiping of the core pin hasbeen minimized by the design of the core pin 170 shown in FIG. 20. Inthis design, the second shot material forming member 68 is allowed topartially line the inside of the standpipe opening 94 to lessen thewiping action. FIG. 20 shows the two mold halves 174 and 176 which arebrought together onto the frame structure 78 to define the mold cavityfor the second shot molding of the inner frame member 68 at the snoutregion 75. The channel pin 172 fits across the mold halves. The moldcavity pin 170 is inserted into the standpipe opening, and its tip isreceived within a recession formed in the pin 172. The pin 170 istapered to define an annular space above the shoulder 170A between thepin and the standpipe opening formed in the member 78. The pin 170 fitstightly within the standpipe opening below the shoulder 170A, forming ashutoff area 170B preventing the second shot material from flowing intothe area 170B during molding. This pin configuration permits the secondshot material to flow into the annular space, forming a lining coveringthe interior of the standpipe down to the shutoff region 170B. Thesurfaces 79A and 79B of the external member 78 also serve as shutoffsurfaces which are contacted by surfaces of the mold halves, preventingthe second shot material from flowing past the joint between thesurfaces 79A and 79B and the mold halves.

Another method to minimize the contamination problem is to automate theloading of the first-shot frame element 78 into the mold of the secondshot machine. This automation uses a robot loader, which areconventional in the molding industry to place the frames into the secondshot mold prior to molding. The frame can be loaded into the robotloader either by hand, by automated feeder systems, or a robot could beused to pick frames out of the first shot molding machine and place theminto the second molding machine. All of these uses of automation allowsfor a better controlled environment which helps to keep the parts clean.

This two material frame may also be produced by the two-shot moldingtechnique, whereby one molding machine has the means for molding thefirst material, moving that just-molded shot into position for thebarrel of the second material, then molding the second material tocomplete the part. Such two-shot molding processes are known in the art.

In the molding technique described above, the material with the highermelting temperature, the engineering plastic of the external member 78,is first molded in the first shot to form member 78. The material withthe lower melting point, the polyolefin alloy or polyethylene basedmaterial, is molded next to form inner member 68, using the alreadymolded external member to help define the second shot mold cavity.Alternatively, this molding process may be reversed, with the highermelting temperature material molded over a lower melting temperatureinner plastic member in an insert molding process. The interlockfeatures between the frame members 68 and 78 will be formed on the firstshot, i.e. the inner plastic member 68, with sufficient undercuts tolock the two materials together. The mold temperature needs to stay nearor lower than the melting point of the low temperature first shot. Withsome engineering plastics, this can make molding them more difficult.Also, as the second shot plastic is molding into the mold and onto thefirst shot plastic, the first shot will melt along the interface of theplastics. The molding conditions must be such that the first shotmaintains its integrity, only being affected along the interface, andnot getting washed out as the second shot is molded over the first shot.

FIG. 21 illustrate such an insert molding process at the area of thestandpipe of the pen 50. The member 68 is molded first in a first shotmold. Then, using surface of the member 68 to define some of the secondshot mold surfaces, the external engineering plastic member 78 is moldedover member 68. A core pin 180 and mold cap 182 define the innerstandpipe opening and the top of the standpipe area. An outer ring of184 of engineering plastic is formed over the first shot plastic 68,forming a compression ring to compress the lower temperature material ofmember 68 onto the inner standpipe formed by the second shot. As thesecond shot material cools, it compresses the first shot materialagainst the second shot material at 186 defining the standpipe.

FIG. 22 shows an alternate insert molding configuration for thestandpipe, with the lower temperature material molded first. Here thesecond shot does not define a compression ring about the low temperaturematerial surrounding the standpipe, so that the bonding between the twomaterial is due solely to the chemical bond between the two materialswhich will be aided as the second shot material will melt the interfaceand help to cause a better bond than in the case of the molding thelower temperature material last. In that case, the second shot iscooling as it fills the mold and is not as hot in all areas along thejoint as is possible in this case, due to the higher temperature of thesecond shot material and its heat capacity. However, the arrangement ofFIG. 21 is superior to that of FIG. 22, as the former arrangementproduces both a chemical and mechanical seal.

Such an insert molding process of the high temperature material over thelow temperature plastic material has several advantages. A main benefitis in the area of the standpipe. In the molding of the second shotengineering plastic material, the core pin 180 that molds the standpipeopening to the TIJ printhead need only retract from the second shotafter molding, and thus eliminates the abrasion problem described above.The core pin 182 in this case must retract, which can cause abrasion,but since the hole it is retracting from was formed by the very samecore pin, the fit between the core pin and standpipe is very accurateand leads to less abrasion than in the case where the engineeringplastic is the first shot material. In that case, the core pin from thefirst shot molds the frame 78, then the frame 78 is ejected from themold, shrinks, and the frame is handled, leading to distortion of thestandpipe. Finally, a different standpipe core pin must be lined up andpressed into the standpipe opening in the member 78. In the present caseof insert molding the lower temperature material first, the first shotmaterial does not contact the core pin 180. Another benefit of thismethod is that as the second shot engineering plastic cools, it shrinksonto the inner first shot material producing a tighter joint, whereas inthe two shot method where the engineering plastic is first formed, thenatural shrinkage of the second shot tends to pull away from the firstshot at areas of joinder away from the standpipe.

Another molding process which can be used to fabricate the frame members68 and 78 is a two-molding process with the higher temperatureengineering plastic material molded over the lower temperaturepolyolefin. When the lower temperature material is molded inside thehigher temperature material, as described in the parent application Ser.No. 07/853,372, the first shot part must be carried inside of a corefrom which it tends to shrink away from and become loose. With this newtwo-shot molding process, the first shot is molded onto a core which itshrinks onto tightly, and then the second shot is molded over the firstshot, and it too shrinks tightly over the first shot.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the snout end of the penin its form prior to molding the inner plastic member 68 onto theengineering plastic frame member 78. At the snout end 75'", the member78'" defines an interior, upright fluid standpipe 98'" having aninterior opening 94'" defined therein which extends through thestandpipe to an opening formed in the exterior surface of the framemember 78'". It is through this opening that the ink will flow from thereservoir to the printhead, which will be positioned at the snout end.

FIG. 23 illustrates the open region 202 surrounding the upwardlyextending fluid standpipe 98'" within the frame 78'". A pair of spacedribs 93A'" and 93B'" protrude from the exterior side of the standpipe93'". A strut 204 is formed across the throat of the snout 75'" region.

Now referring to FIG. 24, the frame member 78'" is shown with the innermember 68'" molded to the inside surface of the frame member 78'". Thematerial forming the inner member 68'" has been molded around theperiphery of the standpipe 98'" without covering the opening 94'" andprovides a surface to which the spring bag film membranes may be staked.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are merelyillustrative of the possible specific embodiments which may representprinciples of the present invention. Other arrangements may readily bedevised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printer ink cartridge including an inkreservoir, comprising:a frame structure comprising an external framestructural member fabricated from a first rigid plastic material and aninterior frame member fabricated from a second plastic material; meansfor attaching together said external frame member and said interiorframe member; first and second impervious membranes formed of a thirdplastic material, said membranes joined to said interior frame member toform, with said frame structure, said ink reservoir; wherein said secondplastic material is compatible with said third plastic material topermit a leak-proof joinder of said membranes to said interior framemember; wherein a first opening is formed in said external framestructure, said second plastic material of said interior frame structuredisposed through said first opening and defining a passageway extendingthrough said interior frame structure and between edges of said firstand second impervious membranes, said passageway in direct communicationwith said ink reservoir and providing a fill port for filling said inkreservoir with ink, said passageway characterized by a circularcross-section of a passageway diameter; and means for sealing saidpassageway, comprising a spherical member having a diameter larger thansaid passageway diameter, said spherical member being press fitted intosaid passageway to seal said passageway.
 2. The ink cartridge of claim 1wherein said second plastic material and said third plastic material arecompatible such that said membranes can be sealed to said inner framemember by application of heat and pressure.
 3. A printer ink pen,comprising:a frame structure comprising an external frame structuralmember fabricated from a first rigid plastic material and an inner framemember fabricated from a second plastic material, said inner memberlining an interior surface of said external frame member; means forattaching together said external frame member and said inner framemember; first and second impervious membranes formed of a thirdmaterial, said membranes joined to said inner frame member to form, withsaid inner frame member, an ink reservoir for holding a supply of ink;an ink fill port comprising a passageway defined through said externalframe member and between edges of said membranes, said passageway linedwith said second material of said inner member and in directcommunication with the interior of said ink reservoir; and means forsealing said passageway to prevent ink from flowing therethrough.
 4. Thepen of claim 3 wherein said second plastic material is a resilientmaterial, said passageway is characterized by a circular cross-sectionof a passageway diameter, and said means for sealing said passagewaycomprises a sealing member having a circular cross-section of a diameterlarger than said passageway diameter, said sealing member being pressfitted into said passageway to seal said passageway.
 5. The pen of claim4 wherein said sealing member comprises a ball.
 6. The pen of claim 4wherein said passageway diameter is reduced in size adjacent said inkreservoir to resist passage of said sealing member into said inkreservoir.
 7. A printer ink cartridge including a reservoircharacterized by a compact, leak-resistant joint between first andsecond moldable materials which define a cartridge frame about saidreservoir, the printer ink cartridge comprising:a cartridge liquid inkreservoir; a cartridge frame comprising a first frame structural elementextending about a periphery of said ink reservoir, said first framestructural element further comprising an interior standpipe memberthrough which a channel opening extends, said channel opening extendingbetween said ink reservoir and a cartridge printhead supported by saidcartridge frame, said first frame structural element fabricated from afirst moldable plastic; said cartridge frame further comprising a secondframe element fabricated from a second moldable plastic material, saidsecond frame element being formed by injection molding and surroundingthe periphery of said standpipe member to thereby provide said joint,said second moldable material having been shrunk about the periphery ofsaid standpipe member to define said joint, said second plastic materialmolded over the interior of said channel opening to form a lining ofsaid channel opening.
 8. The printer ink pen of claim 3 furthercomprising a supply of liquid ink disposed within said ink reservoir. 9.The printer ink cartridge of claim 7 further comprising a supply ofliquid ink disposed within said ink reservoir.